We all love even competition, finding security in the knowledge that our side will be able to turn it around next year. A salary cap only goes part of the way to ensuring this; it is the distribution of talent across the league that ensures its evenness.
Obviously the best way to achieve this goal is through a draft system. It ensures that the clubs at the bottom get first pick of the best talent available, or use their picks as currency to trade for established players. It also provides the league with a very real tool to assist new clubs establish a foot hold.
Another area that the league benefits is that is provides the governing body with a very real stick with which to punish clubs who overstep the mark, punishments that can have far longer lasting consequences than a mere fine or loss of competition points.
The other appeal is that it still allows for dynasties and that there seems to be more of a waxing and waning of sides as opposed to sharp rises and falls.
The real positive of a draft system is that it requires all clubs to have a high focus on player development, something that Storm fans have argued that they have been punished for. Clubs such as Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, Parramatta and Penrith, seem to produce a disproportionately high number of players now at other clubs.
This article is not, however, a doom and gloom offering.
While all and sundry have been quick to stick the boot into the NRL, News Ltd and David Gallop for just about anything, there is one clear ray of light that all at RL-HQ should be very proud of – the Toyota Cup under-20 competition.
Now coming to end of its third season, the Toyota Cup is proving to be of a high standard, game are televised on Fox and played in professional level facilities. It is giving the next generation of rugby league players a taste of the big time, without being chucked into the deep end.
Having the games played as curtain raisers to NRL matches also gives fans a chance to build a relationship with the next generation of the club’s players.
Who knows, this process may even result in players being better able to deal with their new found fame.
There has been a steady trickle of players forcing their way into first grade sides across the NRL. The initial results have been excellent.
Ironically, this kind of set up is nearly impossible with a draft. It is quite refreshing to see the NRL develop a unique solution for rugby league, and to have it bear fruit.
Currently, the system still favours the talent producing “super powers”, but an interesting amendment would be to give clubs massive salary cap (40 per cent or more) concessions for players that have spend two or more years in the club’s U20 setup, for as long as they are contracted to the club.
This would give clubs who produce a player a clear advantage over other clubs when trying to retain that player.
Ultimately fans what their club to keep the players that they produce. They want to be rewarded for the faith and hard work they put into young talent. Fans want players who come through the system of a club, who know the club’s culture and know what the fans expect. Everybody loves a great clubman. Ultimately, it is this communal nature of rugby league that meant that a draft system was tried but failed.
The most crucial element for the game is that an U20 concessions system will give a massive incentive for those clubs who don’t historically produce a lot of junior talent to start applying more focus in that area.
This can only be healthy for the game of rugby league.
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
I think you'll find that the Storm now actually have teams competing at quite a few levels. They actually won titles at every level in 2009 except SG Ball(http://www.ourfootyteam.com/09_sg_ball_cup.php), where the Bulldogs beat them in the final, and the side was predominantly Victorian kids too I think. Saw an interesting doco one Sunday morning about them, was your traditional underdog story, no training ground etc. but I digress... Ironically the NRL needs the draft system for player dispersion far more than the AFL, given that there are strong AFL competitions in SA, WA and southern NSW. And I believe that the SE-Qld side the Seagulls are the biggest AFL club outside of Victoria.
Neutral Fan
Guest
I don't mind the Toyota Cup as it gives the younger players to gain valuable experience and to hone there skills. Under 20's produced talent like Josh Dugan for example so superstars in the future at in the Toyota Cup. The Cowboys U20's looks promising providing the Cowboys keep that talent unlike what they did in the past. As a Cowboys supporter i'm use to bad recruiting decisions and some good one. It be interesting what would of happen if we did institute a draft like the AFL/NFL under the same rules and conditions.I'm sure the Cowboys would of got a few priority picks back in the day lol.
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Yeah this is my point exactly... give clubs a 50% salary cap concession for every player in their side that has spend two or more years in the U20s. If that player leaves the club they are never eligable for it again... this would be a big incentive for players to remain in the NRL as opposed to going OS or to RU. And when the non-superpowers can see clubs like Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle being given such an advantage that they themselves can actually have, they will divert their focus. My concept doesn't matter where you get your U20 players from, just that you've had them for two (concecutive) years, and that the cap bonus only applies while the player is at the club they played U20 at, after they play U20s. If you leave, the bonus is gone for life. So Mark Gasnier (assuming he had played in the U20 comp) would now no longer be eligable for the cap bonus as he'd left the club... I think that this would see all clubs produce and retain a lot more talent. Players will still move between clubs, and players will come in from the UK, but clubs will work hard on producing "home grown" talent because of the advantage you will recieve if you can stumble onto an Andrew Johns, Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer etc...
Redb
Roar Guru
It's not the case with the Storm. A Perth NRL team will add more pressure to sourcing players without a pathway if it comes in. AFL needed a draft to get players into expansion teams, it also a closed player market so a little different. It cant be topped up from rugby (not straight forward anyway) or the ESL. There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems.
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
I think that "the wait" is part of the appeal of the draft system. It means that a club cant go out and buy up big, win a flag and then crumble, they have to put in the hard yards, develop young players and build towards something. The flip side is that sides at the top get a 2-5 year window at the top of the game before they will have to begin the process of developing for the future. Yes I do realise that tanking is an issue, but the advantage that RL has over AFL is a stable and prestigous representative calendar. Players are not going to risk losing thier Australian/SoO spots (and the contract/sponsorship dollars that go with it!) by playing for a side that deliberately plays badly...
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
The difference now is that the AFL clubs don't have juniors and reserves in the same way that the NRL does, they have affiliations with VFL (and the like) clubs... therefore there isn't a clear pathway from U12 through to AFL level at a single club, whereas this is the case in the NRL, meaning that it is difficult for clubs/players to come through a system at the Broncos until they are 17/18 only to be drafted by the Sharks to play first grade.
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
Regarding Canterbury, I totally agree with you... the only consistant side has been the Storm, and we all know why now... I'm not so sure about the salary cap, I think that the practice of back-ending contracts totally undermines the role that the salary cap plays in levelling the playing field for talent. Greg Inglis would be at the Cowboys (assuming they wanted him of course,) in a draft system, but because player contracts can be chopped and changed players like Mark Gansier can somehow squeeze into a dragons squad on the basis that in the years to come they will lose players and can affort to pay him double in 2012... makes a mockery of the system. My idea was that if clubs got massive concessions for players that come through their u20 side, then they are going to devote a lot more time and effort into developing that talent. Which is good for the game. It might not level it the same way that a draft would, but it is an alternative for the way we produce our junior talent
Redb
Roar Guru
"But the big downside is it totally loses the district element of sport which was never a part of Aussie rules but has always been a part of rugby league." Do you mind if I correct you there? becuase that is totally wrong. Prior to the draft circa 1990, all Melb clubs had their own metro district and a country based zone for years. Essendon champions and now coaches in the AFL, Mark Thompson and Mark Harvey are Essendon lads. As was Mark Mercuri, Joe Misiti, Simon Madden, Shane Heard, Ron Andrews, etc. Players like Tim Watson came from Essendon's country zone. Even with the draft, TAC Cup sides (Toyota Under 20s equivalent) tends to align draftees with their local clubs in the AFL in a lot of cases. WA and SA clubs will talk to kids in their local areas prior to the draft. The differnece betwen pick 5 and 6 is marginal if both are midfielders, more often than not, the SA lad will go to the Crows, Vic lad to a Melb club. In saying that a club like Essendon has always recruited widely before and after the draft, in particular from Western Australia.
oikee
Guest
If the Roosters win this year, we all might want to become wooden spooners. :)
Jay
Guest
The two most recent clubs that joined the NRL - i.e. the Titans and the Storm seemed to find a good roster without a draft... Im sure that the next two teams will also have alot of talent to chose from (be it currentl players, players for the NYC, Super League or Rugby Union). And the new propsed ranking system also get over the draft. That is, players are ranked 1-6 for example. The best players are ranked 6 (your Lockyers, Thurstons, GIs, Carney etc). The NRL then installs quotas for how many 6 category players a team can have on their roster (with certain allowances for players that clubs develop). Initatives like these and the NYC says that we dont need a draft at all. And im glad for it. Look at the bulldogs, roosters for example. Under an AFL style system, these clubs would literally have to wait years before even becoming a top 8 side. The free market provides great flexibility for both players and clubs. And without a draft - we never have an issue about tanking and therefore the wooden spoon is actually something clubs try to avoid!
Mr Cool
Guest
Very sensible article. these kids must be given the chance to stay with the club (if they are needed and want to stay. ) I have said often that there is an abundance of young talent out there, The so called super powers can still only employ so many people on their books, so, it is up to the Non superpowers to recruit well and coach well.. the basic theme behind all successful teams of the past and present.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Much better than a draft, juniors can join their club of choice from a young age and become true local heros, the issue is salary cap changes so clubs are rewarded for keeping juniors.
Tom
Guest
I agree, nrl need to stay with the concept. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
oikee
Guest
I have read that the Toyota cup has a salary cap as well. I have noticed some players moving between other clubs, Mundine was one, and i think Licki-Licki has moved from the warriors now to the Knights. The Toyota cup is fantastic, hopefully more people come out a bit earlier to games to watch these young players moving up the ranks. Their was a 12 year old the other day locked up at a club, i think i read about it in the league weekly. Craddle snatching. :)
LT80
Roar Pro
I agree with the general idea of your article but not sure of your conclusion. You're right that in the AFL, the primary "equalisation" tool is the draft. There are heaps of good points about the draft - it builds up the weaker teams, but does not directly pull down the stronger teams, it allows dynasties and continuity from year to year, it encourages players to stay loyal to their clubs. But the big downside is it totally loses the district element of sport which was never a part of Aussie rules but has always been a part of rugby league. But I don't really think the u/20s plays much a role in equalling out the comp. The main thing has always been the salary cap. There are so many problems with this, which are evident for all to see. For example in 2008 Canterbury came last, then in 2009 they came second, and now in 2010 they have come 13th. How is this a good thing? There is hardly any continuity from year to year. There is less and less chance of building up a good team over a number of years and gradually improving into a dominant side. This has all been sacrificed to the misguided idea that the wooden spooners must be genuine premiership contenders in the very next year. But this also means that the premiers must be wooden spoon contenders as well.....you can't have one without the other.